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Modernization Theory and Dependency Theory

Table of contents:
1. Introduction
2. Similarities between Modernization theory and Dependency theory
3. Differences between Modernization theory and Dependency theory
4. Conclusion
5. Works cited

Introduction
Nowadays the rapid development of the word and the growing integration of
countries can hardly fail to affect the development of new theories which attempt to
explain the relationship between countries and the existing inequality between
developed countries and countries of the third world. In this respect, it is possible to
refer to Modernization theory and Dependency theory which, being quite different,
still have certain similarities in their views on the modern world and relationships
between developed and developing countries.
It is worthy of mention that the comparison of these theories will help better
understand the current trends in international relations and the future perspectives
of the world. At the same time, this theories help assess the current situation and
relationships between developed and undeveloped countries more objectively due to
existing differences between the two theories.
Similarities between Modernization theory and Dependency theory
First of all, it should be said that Dependency theory was developed in response to
Modernization theory out of sheer criticism of the latter theory by the supporters of
Dependency theory. Naturally, this fact determined the principal difference between
these theories, but, nevertheless, there are still certain similarities between
Modernization and Dependency theories.
Speaking about the similarities, it is primarily necessary to point out that both
theories pay a lot of attention to the gap existing between developed countries and
undeveloped ones belonging to the third world. To put it more precisely,
Modernization and Dependency theory stand on the ground that Western countries
are the world leaders due to their higher level of development, which affects
practically all spheres of life, including economic, political, social, and even cultural
life (Leys, 210). As a result, there exist a strong link between developed and
developing countries.
Furthermore both theories state that the experience of developed countries is
followed by developing and undeveloped countries, which basically develop in the
same direction as developed countries but still they cannot catch the latter up and
remain in the rearguard of the world development. In stark contrast, developed
countries play the key role in the development of the entire world and the integration
of all countries of the world in the global economy is one of the major ways of
interaction between developed and developing countries and both theories agrees
that this interaction constantly increases.
At the same time, both Modernization and Dependency theories underline that the
relationships between developed and developing countries is unequal and there exist
a kind of dependence of developing countries on developed ones, though the views
on this dependence vary considerably. Nevertheless, both theories underline the
dominant position of Western countries in the modern world and leave little room for
the alternative ways of the development but the western one, which is viewed as the
only way of the development of the future world in the context of the global
economy.
It is worthy of mention that both theories are ethnocentric in a way because they
practically ignore the possibility of the alternative development of developing
countries but, instead they insist that the development of western countries will be
the example developing countries, willingly or not, will follow, while, at the same
time, they do not really admit the alternative ways of development of countries of
the Third world (Preston, 137). However, it is worthy of mention the example of China
which economy is progressing rapidly but its way of development differs considerably
from the dominant western way, but this country does not meet to the basic
assumptions of either of the theories.

Difference between Modernization theory and Dependency theory


In spite of existing similarities between Modernization theory and Dependency
theory, differences between them are much more substantial and it is even possible
to estimate that these theories are antagonistic in their views on the development of
the world and international relationships, especially on the relationship between
developed and developing countries. In fact, differences between Modernization
theory and Dependency theory result from the origin of Dependency theory which, as
it has been already mentioned above, was developed in response to Modernization
theory.
On analyzing existing differences between the two theories, first of all, it is necessary
to underline that Modernization theory views the development of the world and
relationships between developed and developing countries as the relationships of
potentially equal countries which are just at a different stage of development at the
moment. To put it more precisely, Modernization theory stands on the ground that
western countries are well-developed and western way of development is viewed as
the most successful and perspective while there is practically no other alternatives to
this way of the development. This is why the supporters of this theory insist on the
necessity to develop the cooperation between developed and developing countries in
order to make the latter closer to the former. What is meant here is the fact that
Modernization theory underlines the necessity of borrowing the experience of
western countries by developing countries of the Third world (Scott 196). Basically,
developing countries should follow blindly the example of more developed western
countries and this will bring them economic, social, and cultural prosperity.
Naturally, to achieve this goal, developing countries should develop their cooperation
in all spheres of life, including economy, politics, culture, education, and social
relations, with western countries, while the latter, being more advanced compared to
developing countries should help them achieve the highest level of development
through education, technological assistance and consulting of countries of the Third
world. In such a way, this theory views modernization of socio-economic and political
life of developing countries on the basis of the example of western countries as the
only possible solution of the problem of backwardness of poor countries since
western way of development is, according to Modernization theory, is the only
correct way to prosperity.
In stark contrast to Modernization theory, Dependency theory underlines that
relationships between developing and developed countries are based not on the
growing cooperation between them but rather on the dependence of developing
countries on developed ones. To put it more precisely, supporters of Dependency
theory stand on the ground that western countries are really more advanced than
developing countries but the latter follow their example not just because they are
willing to do so nor because they really believe that western way of development is
really better but, in contrast, they are forced to choose the same way of development
as western countries have already made in order to become a part of the world
community and avoid the isolation of the country or, what is more, even the
intervention of western countries in their policy. In this respect, it is necessary to
underline that supporters of Dependency theory argue that western countries impose
their politics and their rules to developing countries forcing them to accept western
standards and norms, while any disobedience from the part of developing countries
threatens by economic sanctions or even military intervention from the part of
developed countries (Schelkle, 231).
In such a way, unlike Modernization theory, Dependency theory does not view the
choice in favor of western way of development as the panacea from all problems or
as a conscious choice that is really supported by the population and elite of
developing countries but such westernization of developing countries is viewed as a
violent interference of developed countries in the life of the Third world. Naturally,
such a policy leads to the growing dependence of developing countries on developed
ones and, therefore, makes the socio-economic breakthrough impossible. In contrast,
Modernization theory believes in its possibility due to the modernization of socio-
economic and political life of developing countries and their closer cooperation with
developed countries, which is supposed to be a conscious and willing act of
developing countries looking for ways to prosperity.

Conclusion
Thus, taking into account all above mentioned, it is possible to conclude that
Modernization theory and Dependency theory are similar in their views on the
modern world. To put it more precisely, both theories admit the leadership of western
countries and their currently dominant position in the modern world, while
undeveloped countries are characterized by socio-economic and political
backwardness. At the same time, the two theories agree that the cooperation
between western countries and developing countries is constantly growing and leads
to their integration.
However, it is necessary to underline that Modernization theory views such
cooperation and integration as a conscious and voluntary act from the part of
developing countries, for which modernization in the western style is the only way to
overcome the existing backwardness, while supporters of Dependency theory argue
that such cooperation and integration is imposed to developing countries by more
advanced western countries, which simply attempt to benefit from their cooperation
with developing countries and their westernization becomes a way of the
establishment of control over and growing dependence of developing countries on
developed ones.
Regardless, the existing differences, both theories still raise a very important
problem of relationships between developed and developing countries and the
dominance of western countries and western civilization in the modern world.

Works cited:

Gilman, N. Mandarins of the Future: Modernization Theory in Cold War America.


Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2003.
Leys, C. The rise & fall of development theory. Indiana University Press, 1996.
Preston, P.W. Development theory: an introduction. Cambridge: Blackwell, 1996.
Schelkle, W. (et al.) Paradigms of social change: Modernization, development,
transformation, evolution. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2000.
Scott, Catherine V. Gender and development: Rethinking modernization and
dependency theory. Rienner Publishers, Boulder, 1995.

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